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Participants: Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis

Thanks to all of you who sent in questions.

In conclusion, I would like to stress once again: let us distinguish between the Austrian people and individual politicians or law enforcement officers, who have acted inappropriately.

Let’s patiently wait for the results of the investigation.

Goodbye!

anupras

Russian Ambassador M.Chkhikvadze is known for repeatedly speaking inappropriately about Lithuania. One of WikiLeaks documents indicates that he was brutally pressuring Lithuania to stop supporting Georgia. Some Lithuanian politicians (e.g., M.Adomėnas) have also confirmed it. So could we possibly be considering (in the background of current and past events) to send the Russian ambassador from the country?

Audronius Ažubalis: 10:37

I am careful about Wikileaks claims and will not comment on them. There is no better means of disinformation as the truth mixed with lies, and every politician bears that in mind.

Sending the ambassador away is not necessarily the best way to solve disputes.

Vlad

And what relations did we have with Austria before this event? Did we enjoy cooperation in any field, and did Lithuania make frequent contacts with Austria?

Audronius Ažubalis: 10:33

I remember very well the moral and material support of Austrian politicians and society in 1991, their humanitarian aid. Recent news from Austria also shows that the majority of Austrians support Lithuania.

The ongoing cooperation has been fruitful and beneficial, particularly in the sphere of nuclear energy.

sarunas

Minister, what do you think the economic consequences of the 'conflict' with Austria are going to be for Lithuania?

Audronius Ažubalis: 10:29

I think that as long as Lithuania does not build a liquefied natural gas terminal, Gazprom’s policy will remain unchanged and prices will be politically motivated.

Bilateral economic relations should not be endangered because of legal and political debates. So here is the big difference between the disputes among the European countries, and Lithuania’s discussions with Russia.

Justas

France, Germany ... major countries ... I understand.

But Poland, our neighbour?

Does this country also pretend to be a major one?

Cannot we even in such cases expect our neighbours to support us?

Audronius Ažubalis: 10:25

I would like to conclude the topic about supporting and not supporting us. Lithuania is not like a disabled grandmother, requiring the support of all the members, as if we could not protect our own interests ourselves. However, it is important that Europe is aware of the fact that ‘laundering’ of the principles of the EU law is equal to the demolition of the foundations of the EU...

rimvy

Could you please name the countries, which the Alpha gunman visited after the issuing of the European arrest warrant in October 2010? And why was the warrant issued only in 2010, and not, for example, in 2002?

Audronius Ažubalis: 10:23

It is not important which countries he visited after the arrest warrant had been issued for him. What is important is that this warrant was not applied to him in those countries, which means that Europe has serious problems in executing its own law.

Jonas

Minister, could the concession made by the EU to the influence of non-EU countries be a prelude to the fragmentation of the EU? Is it at all possible for the EU to collapse?

Audronius Ažubalis: 10:20

I do not believe that the EU will collapse. Europe has repeatedly demonstrated to have a strong instinct of self-preservation. However, making concessions is a chronic disease of certain EU countries. For example, we could remember how some Southern EU member states flirted with North African dictatorships in exchange for good oil and gas contracts.

byberis

How do you evaluate the statement by Commissioner V.Reding that Austria is legally justified?

Audronius Ažubalis: 10:14

The Commissioner’s statement is not a court interpretation. Believe me, there are many legal instruments which Lithuania will use, if it considers it necessary and appropriate.

By the way, the European Commission’s report of 2008 sets out that the European arrest warrant issued for an offence committed prior to 2002 is automatically recognized as a request for extradition. The requesting country should have up to 18 days or even 40 days for providing all the necessary information.

If you apply this Austrian method of ‘finding faults’, then this famous Austrian clause regarding the 2002 European arrest warrant was not published in the Lithuanian language in the European Commission’s Official Journal. And this means that it is not in effect in Lithuania. But these are the legal tricks of which, I believe, our side is aware of.

rimvy

And what about those impossible requirements set by the Austrians to translate the European arrest warrant into German in a couple of hours? Is English not a European Union language?

Audronius Ažubalis: 10:11

So we will ask these questions our partners in Austria. To conclude the discussion about this accident, I would like to put it very simply – from whatever side you would not look at the accident in Vienna, you would discover things that hardly comply with normal legal logic.

Linas

Why no major European countries have made any statements at any level so far, why is France silent, also Germany and Great Britain? Why? Maybe it shows that the U.S. is a better friend than the EU after all?

Audronius Ažubalis: 10:06

Other countries do not want to make mistakes when dealing with such sensitive issues and, therefore, they are waiting until the situation is finally cleared up, so that they can comment on it. Let’s face it, even though it is unpleasant, Europeans are more aware of the Balkan murderers rather than of the murderers of Lithuanians in 1991. Let’s just remember what pains Lithuania had to take last year to make certain that the EU will strive to create a common Platform of European Memory and Conscience, i.e., to start using the same language when speaking about the crimes committed by the Communist and Nazi regimes. Thus, a common European approach to history is still being formulated. And here Lithuania is exceptionally active. I can call it the state, which first began to ‘ring the bells’ of European conscience.

Linas

Does the whole situation not show that Lithuania is a small country and that it has a very little chance of winning against Russia?

Audronius Ažubalis: 10:03

The question is flawed. Lithuania does not fight against Russia. Lithuania only wishes to ensure that European solidarity does not become just another empty word and the European arrest warrant just another not binding document. Here is a challenge for the whole of Europe.

anupras

Is there still any possibility that Lithuania could break off diplomatic relations with Austria? If so, what is the probability?

Audronius Ažubalis: 10:02

Let’s first wait till the end of the investigation...

anupras

When did you speak with the Russian ambassador last time? Perhaps he has a position on this story?

Audronius Ažubalis: 10:01

Yesterday, during the meeting with Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs E.Ignatavičius, Russian ambassador acknowledged that the ambassador of Russia to Austria was incorrect.

When speaking about Russia’s role in this story, we are only collecting information, so now it would be unwise to officially discuss it.

Linas

Minister, do you know when our ambassador will return to Austria?

Audronius Ažubalis: 09:57

This will depend on the above-mentioned co-operation between the two countries in investigating this incident. For the time being the ambassador stays in Lithuania.

Linas

Please tell me, Minister, how do you imagine future cooperation with Austrian diplomats? Will you invite them to take part in commemorative events on January 13th and March 11th? After all, haven’t they denied our history?

Audronius Ažubalis: 09:55

First of all, I believe that the situation will be made very clear. And there is no better reason for bilateral cooperation, as sorting out the truth from both sides.

In order to achieve this, we will need mutual cooperation and good faith. I do not intend to artificially escalate the situation. Let’s wait...

anupras

E.Zingeris promised to seek the intercession of the U.S.A. Do you happen to know the United States position on this story?

Audronius Ažubalis: 09:51

No, I think this is, first of all, a challenge to and a question for Europe. Europe must deal with its own law and its execution.

However, if the U.S. has any additional information about this deplorable incident, especially about possible intervention of the third parties, we will be grateful to receive this information.

Audronius Ažubalis: 09:50

Good day to everyone!

Yesterday, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs was obliged to meet with Russian Ambassador to Lithuania and present him a note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania. That has been done. The note expresses concern over false and offensive statements that were posted on the official website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The note also requests to explain Russia’s possible leverage over Austrian official institutions with regard to the release of the aforementioned suspect.